He was born on February 25, 1304, in Tangier, Morocco.

He died in Morocco during the year 1369.

Ibn Battuta made his pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city of Mecca (Hajj) at age 21.

He spent 29 years travelling the world.

Through extensive travel, he covered 75,000 miles.

Ibn Battuta grew up in a Muslim family.

Travelling across North Africa, his journey to Mecca was thousands of miles.

His story of adventure was written down by a scholar in the Rihla.

He travelled through 44 modern-day countries.

It is doubted by historians whether Ibn Battuta really travelled to the places in his book.

It most importantly serves as the house of prayer.

Mosques can also be a meeting place for religious discussion.

Mosques provide religious education, local charity, and more.

The "imam" is the Islamic leader of a mosque.

Minarets are towers that are part of a mosque.

Prayer rooms in mosques have a wall facing Mecca.

Worshippers pray on mats while kneeling, so there's no furniture.

Minbars are raised stands where the imam delivers a message.

Mosques are decorated with geometric designs and Arabic calligraphy.

The word "mosque" is the English translation of "al-masjia" in Arabic.

Wealthy merchants were taxed to support public works.

A gold coin called a dinar was the main Islamic coin.

Papers using letters of credit called "suftaja" were used in large transactions.

Merchants exchanged the paper for dinar in a new city.

Islamic merchants worked with sugar, salt, textiles, spices, slaves, gold, and horses.

Many merchants gained much wealth and power.

Muslims used the Silk Road for trade.

Merchants travelled in groups called caravans.

Caravans could be compared to travelling cities.

Islamic coins have been found in Sweden, Britain, and China, indicating international trade and use of currency.

The Islamic Empire was the largest in the world during its early years.

Large cities emerged as places of government and trade.

Religious cities were Mecca and Medina.

Mecca was where Muhammad was born and founded Islam.

Muslims pray toward the city of Mecca.

Medina served as the capital of the Islamic Empire during the Rashidun.

Damascus was the first major Byzantine city to be conquered.

Baghdad became the Empire's capital under the Abbasids.

Non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca.

Medina is labeled the "City of the Prophet."